My Pregnancy Go To Products

I thought I would share with you all my pregnancy go to products that I have relied on over the last 30 weeks. Gosh! When I say it like that it seems like forever! I've included everything from skin to supplements to morning sickness.

Morning Sickness

I was really lucky this time and didn't suffer from much morning sickness. Part of this I am convinced is down to taking Vitamin B6. I took the Solgar brand. I also made sure to have a supply of bananas, ginger tea and mint tea in the house. Oh and if things got really bad I found Lucozade helped a lot but tried keeping it to a minimum cos it is full of sugar.

Pregnancy Supplements

Up until 12 weeks I took Clonfolic Folic Acid once a day, I then switched to Sanatogen Mum To be with Omegas, which is what I took last time but for whatever reason these did not agree with me espescially the Omegas. I felt rotten on them so switched to Pregnancare Original and Mumomega. So far I have not needed to take Iron and am hoping I will be able to avoid it as the side effects can be less than pleasant.

Stretch Marks

I have lots of stretch marks left from when I had Jack. I am a strong believer in that you can't really avoid them if they are in your genes but you can maybe minimise them. From about 12 weeks I have been using Holos Happy Momma Oil and really love it. It's not too oily and does a great job moisturising my skin. I think it is helping keep stretch marks under control.

Relaxation

I have a bit of difficulty sleeping the last while. This is down to a number of things going on in life plus as soon as I do get comfy in the bed, I will get a cramp on the side I am lying on. Meaning I toss and turn all night. Not good! However I have used Lisa Heeney's Pregnancy Bath Oil for relaxation. Find it fantastic in helping me de-stress and actually get a decent sleep. Looking on Lisa's website, I see there is one for nausea so if you are suffering from morning sickness, it could be worth a try. I definitely wish I knew about it before now. 

I also use a pregnancy pillow to help get comfy in the bed. I find it great to a point. It takes up a lot of room in the bed and half way through the night I kick it out. Up to that point though I find it helps take the pressure off and lets me get a little more chilled and comfortable. I picked mine up in Argos for €16.99

So there we are, those are my go to pregnancy products. If you have a little one, what products did you find helpful when you were pregnant or if you are pregnant what are you using?

The Christmas Tag

A few days ago the lovely Lilli White Rose tagged me in her Christmas tag. I was never really into Christmas that much but since having Jack and with this little one the way I find myself getting in to the spirit.

1. What is your favourite Christmas movie/s?

I love Miracle on 34th Street. Without fail watch it every year. No doubt there will be lots of kids christmas movies on in the house this year. 

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas eve or on Christmas morning?

Myself and hubby swap pressies Christmas Eve when Jack is in bed then Christmas morning we open his presents and open our presents for him.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

Without a doubt, it would have to be Jack's first christmas. He was only six months old and we dressed him up in an adorable Santa suit.

4. Favourite Christmas food

I love a traditional Christmas dinner, we usually go to my mums but this year I'll be doing all the cooking. With the help of hubby and little brother putting stuff in the oven. We go all out with turkey, ham and beef (for the dad) plus whatever drinks we all want and usually Christmas cupcakes/ chocolate biscuit cake made by yours truly

5. Favourite Christmas gift

I've been very lucky with Christmas presents but last years I really love. Hubby bought a me a fancy new camera and a Michael Kors watch. The watch is only taken out on very special occasions

6. Favourite Christmas scent

Nothing beats the smell of a real Christmas tree.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

We pop a christmas movie on and have some treats. Then when Jack goes to bed, myself and hubby swap presents and then wrap Jack's presents.

8. What tops your tree?

A star.

9. As a kid, what was the one extravagant gift you asked for but never got?

A horse, Yes I know. Not exactly realistic but a girl can dream.

10. What’s the best part about Christmas for you?

Spending time with my two men and my parents and brother. Next year there will be another addition to this and I can't wait!

I think pretty much everyone has done this tag but if you haven;t feel free to and send me our links 

The 10 Week Countdown: Time To Start Shopping

Today marks 10 weeks until baby number 2 arrives, that's of course if they arrive on time like a good little baby or I go over like I did on Jack. With this date in mind, I have started proper shopping for baby by picking up adorable baby grow, socks, hats. That sort of thing. I actually forgot how tiny the clothes are! I have a good few things left over from when Jack was a baby that are gender neutral too so I don't really need a lot.

The things I do need to think about are bottles, a steriliser and a pram. I already know what bottles I want (Dr.Brown) but finding a universal sterilser they'll fit into is proving a big problem. The bottles are slightly chunkier then others and typically the brand only do a microwave sterilser. Total nightmare.There is rumours of an electric one but it's like finding a needle in a haystack and even if I did find it I'm not sure how comfortable I would be paying nearly €80. 

Luckily we have Jack's baby car seat left from his travel system, the pram itself is knackered thanks to an overly eager granddad shoving it in and out of the boot. The mechanism on the buggy part is broken and collapses as your walking down the street. So I have the fear I'll be out with babs and that will happen. Prams can be so expensive but I am thinking of giving this Chicco pram a test if I can find it in a Boots

I'm hoping to get everything sorted by the second week of January and plan to buy a good part of what I need in Boots so I can get some points on my loyalty card. Now that I have a plan in place, all I need to do is dedicate a couple of drawers in the spare room. 

*In general I am feeling quite well, tired but that's to be expected

Irish Beauty Gift Guide

I make no secret of the fact that I like to Buy Irish as much as I can. This year is no different with a good majority of gifts coming from some lovely Irish brands. They are really giving international companies a run for their money. Here are just some of the great beauty gifts available from our little island. 

Bia Beauty 

Scrub Your Skin Gift Set containing Detox Body Scrub and Orange &Grapefruit Facial Exfoliant and Cleanser(€35, retail value €36.90), Feed Your Face Gift Set containing Mellow Mandarin Moisturiser, Orange & Grapefruit Facial Exfoliant and Cleanser, Stop The Clock Eye Gel and Lime Pie Lip Balm(€50, trail value €55.80) and Feed Your Skin Gift Set containing Mellow Mandarin Moisturiser, Orange & Grapefrui Facial Exfoliant and Cleanser, Stop The Clock Eye Gel, Apple Blossom Body Butter and Detox Body Scrub(€80, retail value €90.75) 

Cocoa Brown Tan 

Bronzed & Beautiful (€9.95), Soft & Smooth (€9.95) and Luxury Giftset (€19.99). Available in selected pharmacies,Tesco and Cloud10Beauty Christmas just wouldn't be christmas without some Cocoa Brown. I love how cute and girly the packaging is.

Designed 4 You 

Makeup Bags (€15) Large Makeup Brush Roll (€34) Gothika Clutch Bag (€55) - I love everything Designed 4 You creates but something about that clutch is calling me!

EO Ireland

Grapefruit & Mint Revitalising Shower Gel and Lemon Verbana Body Lotion €36.98

Calming Giftset €88

Holos

Love Your Skin Giftset (€31.20), Goodnight Relaxation Gift (€42.30) and Good Morning Gift (€49.90)

Lisa Heeney

3 All Natural Lip Balm Giftset (€19) Lisa also offers gift vouchers for her bespoke skin care service and products recommended in the consultation. I love the idea of this.

Please pop over and check out their websites and support Irish